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Foodie Festival Hit My Takings - Local Butcher.

A LONG-ESTABLISHED Worcester butcher says his business was hit hard by the city's recent Foodie Festival, and he wants organisers to think again.

Phil Watson, of Syd Smith and Son at The Corn Market, The Shambles, says his trade was down by almost a half on the opening day of the two day festival, Saturday August 3, because some of the stall-holders were selling meat.

Mr Watson, owner of the shop, which has been in business for 19 years, said: "We are trying make a living down here, and the festival undermined my business. I lost nearly half my takings on the Saturday."

He declined to say how much he was down, but said it was "a fair few hundred".

Mr Watson added: "We are an established company, and we pay our rates. Why have butchers selling what we sell? I'm disgusted."

In future, Mr Watson wants more attention to be paid to what the stalls are selling.

He said: "I just want people not to sell the products we sell. It's a cut-throat business at present."

But another local businessman, Phil Clarke of Colston's Bakery, Angel Place,

said Mr Watson should consider taking a stall next year.

He said: "We had a stall, and it was very good, well worth doing.

"I would advise Mr Watson to have a stall. What can you do but join them?

"Some people at the festival were people who do not normally come in to Worcester normally.

"We had loads of new customers. It's worth giving it a try."

The Foodie Festival is organised by the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) group.

Adrian Field of BID said: ‘We are sorry that Mr Watson did not have a great day trade wise on what was a poor day for weather.

"The event aims to promote Worcester city centre as a whole and the great food offering that we have within it. Footfall on the Saturday was up by 21% on the previous week, even with the rain, so hopefully these customers will subsequently follow up their visit to food related businesses such as Mr Watson’s.

Comments

Are you the President of the Worcester Butchers' Guild? Or just Phil's mate?
Your defence of this article is preposterous.

Did the landlords of Worcester city pubs start crying over the beer festival?

Sounds like Phil and his ilk are afraid of a little healthy competition, and the people are clearly voting with their feet.

Are you the President of the Worcester Butchers' Guild? Or just Phil's mate?
Your defence of this article is preposterous.
Did the landlords of Worcester city pubs start crying over the beer festival?
Sounds like Phil and his ilk are afraid of a little healthy competition, and the people are clearly voting with their feet.lehig76

Are you the President of the Worcester Butchers' Guild? Or just Phil's mate?
Your defence of this article is preposterous.

Did the landlords of Worcester city pubs start crying over the beer festival?

Sounds like Phil and his ilk are afraid of a little healthy competition, and the people are clearly voting with their feet.

Score: 16

lehig76
3:28pm Thu 14 Aug 14

Maybe Phil Watson should have a stall next year, selling Sour Grapes. Seriously what kind of journalist authorised this 'story' for publication? Why would the people of Worcestershire be even remotely interested in Phil Watson's takings???

Maybe Phil Watson should have a stall next year, selling Sour Grapes. Seriously what kind of journalist authorised this 'story' for publication? Why would the people of Worcestershire be even remotely interested in Phil Watson's takings???lehig76

Maybe Phil Watson should have a stall next year, selling Sour Grapes. Seriously what kind of journalist authorised this 'story' for publication? Why would the people of Worcestershire be even remotely interested in Phil Watson's takings???

Score: 23

New Kid on the Block
4:18pm Thu 14 Aug 14

The people who appreciate good food are the ones who are likely to be interested in the problems faced by this long established trader.
He sells very good quality meat and I can understand him not being happy when his trade is hit like that.
I am sure that Worcester Business Improvement District do not want to cause problems for existing traders. We have few enough good Butchers as it is.
The idea of him taking a stall is a good one but not without its problems. There are more problems for a Butcher who wants to do this than a Baker. He would need two proper refrigerated display units (one for cooked and one for raw meats) plus hand washing facilities. This would cost a lot of money for a once a year event.
Perhaps Worcester BID could help him source such facilities at a reasonable cost for next year.
That way the Foodie Festival would gain another good stall and Mr Watson might be able to get some new customers. A good result all round.

The people who appreciate good food are the ones who are likely to be interested in the problems faced by this long established trader.
He sells very good quality meat and I can understand him not being happy when his trade is hit like that.
I am sure that Worcester Business Improvement District do not want to cause problems for existing traders. We have few enough good Butchers as it is.
The idea of him taking a stall is a good one but not without its problems. There are more problems for a Butcher who wants to do this than a Baker. He would need two proper refrigerated display units (one for cooked and one for raw meats) plus hand washing facilities. This would cost a lot of money for a once a year event.
Perhaps Worcester BID could help him source such facilities at a reasonable cost for next year.
That way the Foodie Festival would gain another good stall and Mr Watson might be able to get some new customers. A good result all round.New Kid on the Block

The people who appreciate good food are the ones who are likely to be interested in the problems faced by this long established trader.
He sells very good quality meat and I can understand him not being happy when his trade is hit like that.
I am sure that Worcester Business Improvement District do not want to cause problems for existing traders. We have few enough good Butchers as it is.
The idea of him taking a stall is a good one but not without its problems. There are more problems for a Butcher who wants to do this than a Baker. He would need two proper refrigerated display units (one for cooked and one for raw meats) plus hand washing facilities. This would cost a lot of money for a once a year event.
Perhaps Worcester BID could help him source such facilities at a reasonable cost for next year.
That way the Foodie Festival would gain another good stall and Mr Watson might be able to get some new customers. A good result all round.

Score: -4

Bodger&Badger
9:16pm Thu 14 Aug 14

Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.

Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?

Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??

Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?

Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.
Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?
Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??
Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?Bodger&Badger

Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.

Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?

Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??

Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?

Score: 5

Jabbadad
11:17pm Fri 15 Aug 14

Well ignoring the Supermarket meat departments Besides the well stocked buthers in the Shambles Market Hall there is very good Butchers in St Swithun Street, and the mobile Lorry on the angel Street Market, plus the Halal in Lowesmoor. And when you think back to the numbers of Butchers in the Shambles during the 1940's 50's 60's it's a sad reflection of change.
But perhaps if we had planners of ability during the next street festivity could there not be a food of all types, quarter / section, along the Shambles and St Swithun Street? To also encourage, assist, existing trades as well.

Well ignoring the Supermarket meat departments Besides the well stocked buthers in the Shambles Market Hall there is very good Butchers in St Swithun Street, and the mobile Lorry on the angel Street Market, plus the Halal in Lowesmoor. And when you think back to the numbers of Butchers in the Shambles during the 1940's 50's 60's it's a sad reflection of change.
But perhaps if we had planners of ability during the next street festivity could there not be a food of all types, quarter / section, along the Shambles and St Swithun Street? To also encourage, assist, existing trades as well.Jabbadad

Well ignoring the Supermarket meat departments Besides the well stocked buthers in the Shambles Market Hall there is very good Butchers in St Swithun Street, and the mobile Lorry on the angel Street Market, plus the Halal in Lowesmoor. And when you think back to the numbers of Butchers in the Shambles during the 1940's 50's 60's it's a sad reflection of change.
But perhaps if we had planners of ability during the next street festivity could there not be a food of all types, quarter / section, along the Shambles and St Swithun Street? To also encourage, assist, existing trades as well.

Score: 0

ramona666
3:41pm Fri 15 Aug 14

This report has really annoyed me. Why didn't he have a stall himself? Did he complain about the Christmas Fayre too?

Why blame the Foodie Festival?

The Foodie Festival was really great and it was lovely to see so many stalls and local produce. If I was the organiser of the Foodie Festival this sort of negative unnecessary reporting would be hard to swallow.

This report has really annoyed me. Why didn't he have a stall himself? Did he complain about the Christmas Fayre too?
Why blame the Foodie Festival?
The Foodie Festival was really great and it was lovely to see so many stalls and local produce. If I was the organiser of the Foodie Festival this sort of negative unnecessary reporting would be hard to swallow.ramona666

This report has really annoyed me. Why didn't he have a stall himself? Did he complain about the Christmas Fayre too?

Why blame the Foodie Festival?

The Foodie Festival was really great and it was lovely to see so many stalls and local produce. If I was the organiser of the Foodie Festival this sort of negative unnecessary reporting would be hard to swallow.

Score: 7

imustbeoldiwearacap
3:47pm Fri 15 Aug 14

Bodger&Badger wrote…

Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.

Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?

Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??

Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?

You've heard of him now! And perhaps that's what he intended! No such thing as bad publicity!

[quote][p][bold]Bodger&Badger[/bold] wrote:
Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.
Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?
Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??
Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?[/p][/quote]You've heard of him now! And perhaps that's what he intended! No such thing as bad publicity!imustbeoldiwearacap

Bodger&Badger wrote…

Looks like a slow news day. What would have been great if we could have the standard Worcester News photo with this article, to include angry butcher with folded arms please.

Never even heard of this business. Couldn't possibly have been the Ex-hurricane warning issued for the West Midlands meaning people didn't come into Worcester, no there appears to be 21% more people based upon footfall data?

Maybe he should relocate to a more central location, so people have heard of this place. Or simply, maybe people didn't walk over to Cornmarket from Asda as it was raining most of the morning?? Clearly plenty of reasons why on this particular day his trade could be down. Would be interesting to understand why this guy thinks that it was the food festival causing the issue? bit of an unrelated coincidence to me! No hard evidence presented, case for libel??

Wonder how the other Butchers traded in Worcester centre on the back of the increase in footfall?

You've heard of him now! And perhaps that's what he intended! No such thing as bad publicity!

Score: 3

pinkfluff
10:04am Sat 16 Aug 14

Could he hire equipment for a one off event?

Could he hire equipment for a one off event?pinkfluff

Could he hire equipment for a one off event?

Score: 0

Jabbadad
11:19pm Fri 15 Aug 14

Oh and the very good butchers at the end of Lowesmoor.

Oh and the very good butchers at the end of Lowesmoor.Jabbadad

Oh and the very good butchers at the end of Lowesmoor.

Score: 2

Moyles
10:18am Tue 19 Aug 14

HE should have been aware of the festival and worked proactively to drive more custom. Pinkfluff is absolutely correct when they say he could have hired equipment.
Having said that, I spoke to one butcher selling pork at the festival, gave him my business card and made it quite clear we buy in excess of 50Kg's of pork a day and would like to use a local supplier. Despite promising he would be in touch, he hasn't and we have since found another source - words fail me.

HE should have been aware of the festival and worked proactively to drive more custom. Pinkfluff is absolutely correct when they say he could have hired equipment.
Having said that, I spoke to one butcher selling pork at the festival, gave him my business card and made it quite clear we buy in excess of 50Kg's of pork a day and would like to use a local supplier. Despite promising he would be in touch, he hasn't and we have since found another source - words fail me.Moyles

HE should have been aware of the festival and worked proactively to drive more custom. Pinkfluff is absolutely correct when they say he could have hired equipment.
Having said that, I spoke to one butcher selling pork at the festival, gave him my business card and made it quite clear we buy in excess of 50Kg's of pork a day and would like to use a local supplier. Despite promising he would be in touch, he hasn't and we have since found another source - words fail me.

Score: 3

Jabbadad
12:17pm Tue 19 Aug 14

Moyles As a user of 50Kg's of pork per day you will also be aware that Pork of all meats needing a controlled temperature for both display and storage. (PORK & HOT WEATHER DON'T GO TOGETHER)
Quite unlike Hot Pork rolls or currant Buns and loaves which can be displayed and sold off a couple of upturned Crates as long as there is two seperate sources of running water available for hand washing COMPULSARY, and Equipment washing also COMPULSARY.
As to Health & Safety, I would imagine that the Stalls that also sold a bit of meat were selling prepacked, if not they may well have also contravened Health issues. Fishmongers and Butchers are strictly controlled over Hygene, which is why for Market sales the need for such a well equiped lorry which trades in Angel Place.

Moyles As a user of 50Kg's of pork per day you will also be aware that Pork of all meats needing a controlled temperature for both display and storage. (PORK & HOT WEATHER DON'T GO TOGETHER)
Quite unlike Hot Pork rolls or currant Buns and loaves which can be displayed and sold off a couple of upturned Crates as long as there is two seperate sources of running water available for hand washing COMPULSARY, and Equipment washing also COMPULSARY.
As to Health & Safety, I would imagine that the Stalls that also sold a bit of meat were selling prepacked, if not they may well have also contravened Health issues. Fishmongers and Butchers are strictly controlled over Hygene, which is why for Market sales the need for such a well equiped lorry which trades in Angel Place.Jabbadad

Moyles As a user of 50Kg's of pork per day you will also be aware that Pork of all meats needing a controlled temperature for both display and storage. (PORK & HOT WEATHER DON'T GO TOGETHER)
Quite unlike Hot Pork rolls or currant Buns and loaves which can be displayed and sold off a couple of upturned Crates as long as there is two seperate sources of running water available for hand washing COMPULSARY, and Equipment washing also COMPULSARY.
As to Health & Safety, I would imagine that the Stalls that also sold a bit of meat were selling prepacked, if not they may well have also contravened Health issues. Fishmongers and Butchers are strictly controlled over Hygene, which is why for Market sales the need for such a well equiped lorry which trades in Angel Place.

Score: 1

New Kid on the Block
2:03pm Wed 20 Aug 14

As I said earlier a proper stall for a Butcher to take part in this event would be expensive.
As Worcester BID is supposed to support local Businesses perhaps they could work with Mr Watson to see if it is possible to hire such a stand at a reasonable price. This would enable him to take part in the event next year and introduce more customers to the range of goods he offers.
This is the Butcher Jabbadad described as the well stocked Butchers in the Shambles Market Hall so I can't be the only one who thinks he is a good Butcher.

As I said earlier a proper stall for a Butcher to take part in this event would be expensive.
As Worcester BID is supposed to support local Businesses perhaps they could work with Mr Watson to see if it is possible to hire such a stand at a reasonable price. This would enable him to take part in the event next year and introduce more customers to the range of goods he offers.
This is the Butcher Jabbadad described as the well stocked Butchers in the Shambles Market Hall so I can't be the only one who thinks he is a good Butcher.New Kid on the Block

As I said earlier a proper stall for a Butcher to take part in this event would be expensive.
As Worcester BID is supposed to support local Businesses perhaps they could work with Mr Watson to see if it is possible to hire such a stand at a reasonable price. This would enable him to take part in the event next year and introduce more customers to the range of goods he offers.
This is the Butcher Jabbadad described as the well stocked Butchers in the Shambles Market Hall so I can't be the only one who thinks he is a good Butcher.

Score: 0

Moyles
1:05pm Thu 21 Aug 14

Jabbada - I am well aware of the need for cold storage - we have spot checks from EHO at each event we cater at and have never had a problem yet!
It is possible to hire a range of equipment for weekend use or longer term rental, why he couldn't have done this is beyond me? Maybe his view was it would cost too much or maybe he didn't research the possibilities?

Jabbada - I am well aware of the need for cold storage - we have spot checks from EHO at each event we cater at and have never had a problem yet!
It is possible to hire a range of equipment for weekend use or longer term rental, why he couldn't have done this is beyond me? Maybe his view was it would cost too much or maybe he didn't research the possibilities?Moyles

Jabbada - I am well aware of the need for cold storage - we have spot checks from EHO at each event we cater at and have never had a problem yet!
It is possible to hire a range of equipment for weekend use or longer term rental, why he couldn't have done this is beyond me? Maybe his view was it would cost too much or maybe he didn't research the possibilities?

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